Moving to Dunwoody, GA?

Dunwoody's noise ordinance is codified in Chapter 18. The ordinance prohibits loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noises in the city. General quiet hours are observed with stricter limits in the evening and early morning. Complaints reported to Code Compliance at 678-382-6890.

Dunwoody Chapter 18 restricts construction and landscaping noise. Landscape contractors may not operate motorized equipment before 7:30 AM or after 8:30 PM on weekdays; before 8:00 AM or after 8:30 PM on Saturdays; and no work on Sundays or Christmas Day. Construction noise follows similar restrictions.

Barking dogs in Dunwoody are regulated under the general noise ordinance (Ch. 18) and DeKalb County animal control provisions. Persistent barking that unreasonably disturbs neighbors constitutes a noise violation. Complaints handled by DeKalb County Animal Services (404-294-2996).

Dunwoody regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound permits available for events. O.C.G.A. §16-11-39 applies to unreasonable disturbances.

Dunwoody publishes no occupancy cap for short-term rentals because the rental of any single-family or multi-family residence for fewer than 30 days is prohibited under Chapter 27 of the City Code. The 30-day minimum lease is the operative rule.

Dunwoody imposes no liability insurance minimum for short-term rentals because rentals of fewer than 30 days are prohibited under Chapter 27. There is no STR license to condition coverage on, and operating an unlawful rental voids most homeowner and platform host-protection policies.

Since STRs are banned in Dunwoody, there are no specific STR noise rules. General noise ordinance (Ch. 18) applies to all residential properties. Any commercial gathering or party house at a residence is separately prohibited.

Short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are BANNED in Dunwoody. The city's zoning ordinance (Ch. 27) prohibits rentals of single-family and multi-family residences for periods of less than 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO are not permitted in residential zones. Enforcement is complaint-driven.

STRs are banned in Dunwoody; no separate STR parking rules exist. General residential parking ordinances apply. Dunwoody Code Enforcement (678-382-6890) handles parking complaints for residential properties.

Since STRs are banned in Dunwoody, there is no local STR tax or registration fee. Georgia state hotel-motel tax (GA Code §48-13-50+) would apply to any lawful rental lodging. Operating an illegal STR subjects the host to code enforcement penalties.

Consumer fireworks (1.4G) are legal statewide under GA Code §25-10-1 (10 AM–midnight; extended hours on designated holidays). Cities cannot ban fireworks under §25-10-5.1. Dunwoody enforces its noise ordinance (Ch. 18) against excessive fireworks noise. Use away from structures, vehicles, and people.

Outdoor burning in Dunwoody is governed by GAEPD Rule 391-3-1-.02(5) and the Georgia Forestry Commission permit system. A free burn permit is required from the GFC before most outdoor fires. DeKalb County Fire Department also has authority over open burning within city limits.

Recreational fire pits are generally permitted in Dunwoody for residential use in a contained, non-combustible structure. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished before leaving. Nuisance smoke affecting neighbors may be reported under the noise/nuisance ordinance.

Street parking in Dunwoody is regulated by the Code of Ordinances. Standard prohibitions apply: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, no blocking of driveways, no double-parking. Residential street parking generally permitted without time limits unless posted. Code Compliance: 678-382-6890.

Heavy commercial vehicles parked long-term in Dunwoody residential areas may violate zoning and parking ordinances. Standard pickups for personal use are generally allowed. Large trucks, semi-trailers, and commercial vehicles with conspicuous advertising may be restricted in residential zones.

Driveway construction and curb cuts in Dunwoody require permits from the Community Development Department. Vehicles parked in driveways must not block sidewalks or extend into the public right-of-way. Residential driveways must be paved or have an approved all-weather surface.

Parking of RVs, boats, and trailers on residential properties in Dunwoody is regulated under the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27). Long-term storage in front yards or on the street is generally restricted. Rear yard storage is preferred, with screening from public view recommended.

Dunwoody Zoning Ordinance §27-206(b)(5): fences in street yards are limited to 4 feet. Interior side and rear yard fences may be up to 8 feet. Fences adjacent to collector or arterial streets may be 8 feet in height in the street side yard. Permits required in front yards and corner lots.

Georgia common law applies in Dunwoody: fences must be installed on the owner's property. No city ordinance requires neighbor consent before fence installation. Boundary disputes are civil matters. Dunwoody does not require a survey for rear-yard fences (no permit needed) but accuracy is the owner's responsibility.

A fence permit is NOT required in Dunwoody for fences completely to the rear of a residential home. A permit IS required for new fences, vehicular gates, and replacement fences in front yards, on corner lots, or within stream buffers. Contact Community Development: 678-382-6800.

Dunwoody has no breed-specific legislation (BSL). Georgia's Responsible Dog Ownership Law (GA Code §4-8-20+) creates a behavioral-based dangerous dog registry administered by DeKalb County. Individual dogs may be declared dangerous based on behavior, not breed.

Urban beekeeping in Dunwoody may be permitted in residential areas subject to Zoning Ordinance §4-5 (Animal Care Facilities) standards. Georgia Department of Agriculture registration is required for all beekeepers. Hives must be managed to prevent swarming and should be setback from property lines.

Exotic and wild animals (Class 1) are prohibited under Georgia law (GA Code §27-5-4). Dunwoody's Zoning Ordinance (§4-5) addresses animal care facilities; residential keeping of dangerous wild animals is not permitted. DeKalb County Animal Services handles exotic animal complaints.

Dogs in Dunwoody must be kept on a leash or under direct physical control when off the owner's property. DeKalb County Animal Services (404-294-2996) enforces animal control in Dunwoody. Dogs running at large are prohibited. Dunwoody has dedicated off-leash areas in some parks.

Dunwoody requires grass and weeds to be maintained below 10 inches in height. Code Enforcement issues a courtesy notice when grass exceeds the limit, giving the owner 10 days to comply before a citation is issued. The city may mow and bill the property owner for non-compliance.

Tree removal permits in Dunwoody are required for: hardwoods 10+ inch DBH on non-residential/multi-family lots; softwoods 20+ inch DBH; understory trees 6+ inch DBH on those lots; and any tree in the 75-foot stream buffer. Single-family homeowners are exempt from permits but must meet site tree density requirements.

Dunwoody's tree ordinance (Ch. 16, Div. 6) protects hardwood trees with 10+ inch DBH, softwoods with 20+ inch DBH, and understory trees with 6+ inch DBH. Routine pruning of branches generally does not require a permit. Trimming within the 75-foot stream buffer requires permits and care.

Outdoor water use in Dunwoody is supplied by DeKalb County Watershed Management. Georgia Water Stewardship Act (2010) baseline outdoor watering schedule applies. During drought, EPD Level 1–4 restrictions may limit or prohibit outdoor watering. Check DeKalb County Water for current status.

Home occupation signage in Dunwoody is heavily restricted. Commercial signs advertising a home business are generally prohibited in residential zones. Chapter 20 (Signs) governs signage; a small nameplate may be permitted. No illuminated, freestanding, or large window signs are allowed.

Customer traffic to home businesses in Dunwoody must not exceed what a typical residence would generate. Regular client appointments, multiple simultaneous visitors, or commercial deliveries that change the neighborhood character may not qualify under home occupation standards. Zoning Ordinance Ch. 27 applies.

Home occupations in Dunwoody are regulated under the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27). A special use permit may be required. An Occupational Tax Certificate (business license) is required for all businesses including home-based ones. Home businesses must not alter the residential character of the neighborhood.

Dunwoody residential pools must comply with Georgia's pool barrier requirements under the adopted International Residential Code (IRC). Pools deeper than 24 inches must have a 48-inch minimum barrier fully enclosing the pool. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. Building permits required.

Pool safety standards in Dunwoody follow the IRC and National Electrical Code. All pool electrical work must be permitted and inspected. Anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB-compliant) are required. Pools must be maintained to prevent mosquito breeding as required by DeKalb County health codes.

Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches in Dunwoody require the same 48-inch barrier as in-ground pools. The pool walls may serve as the barrier if they are at least 48 inches tall with secured/removed access ladders when the pool is unattended. A building permit is required.

Dunwoody regulates carports as accessory structures under Chapter 27 of the Zoning Ordinance. Detached carports must be located in the rear yard of R-100 lots, may not exceed 20 feet in height or the height of the principal dwelling, and require a building permit reviewed under the Georgia State Minimum Standard Residential Code.

Storage sheds in Dunwoody are regulated under the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27) as accessory structures. Sheds must meet setback requirements, be placed in rear or side yards, and comply with lot coverage limits. Sheds over 144 sq ft generally require a building permit from Community Development.

ADUs in Dunwoody are regulated by the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27). Georgia has no statewide ADU mandate; Dunwoody determines eligibility by parcel zoning. Contact Planning and Zoning (678-382-6800) to confirm whether an ADU is permitted on a specific property and what standards apply.

Garage conversions to habitable space in Dunwoody require a building permit and must comply with the IRC and Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27). Converted space must meet insulation, egress, HVAC, and electrical standards. ADU rules apply if creating a separate dwelling unit. Parking requirements must be addressed.

Dunwoody participates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Development in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) requires a floodplain development permit. The city enforces a 75-foot stream buffer in addition to flood zone regulations. Check FEMA Flood Map Service Center for property-specific data.

Dunwoody enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.